ericbphoto
Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2016
- Messages
- 16,107
- Reaction score
- 18,127
- Age
- 60
- Location
- Wellford, SC
- Vehicle Year
- 1993
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 3.0 V6
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6"
- Tire Size
- 35"
- My credo
- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
So I found a truck on FB marketplace that I'm interested in as my new tow vehicle to replace my Fun50. It's a 97 F350 crew cab, diesel. I'm assuming that would be a 7.3l powerstroke. But he doesn't say in the ad. 240k miles. Looks great in the pictures. Seller says "has electrical problems. Won't crank."
So I messaged him to verify the engine and to ask what he means by "Won't crank." Ya know. Some people say that when the starter wont turn, which would be correct. And some people will say "Won't crank" even if the starter turns the engine over but it just won't fire.
I had a 1990 F350, 7.3l years ago. And it had a check valve near the injector pump. The check valve went bad and would let the fuel bleed back to the tank over night so it wouldn't prime by itself and start the next day. I'm wondering if that may be the case with this, even though he thinks there is an electrical problem. My question is; does the 97 have an electric lift pump in the tank or on the frame rail to feed the injector pump? I can't remember from my 90. That would make a difference in my troubleshooting and efforts to get the system primed.
If it truly "doesn't crank ". Then that should be a normal battery, starter relay, starter troubleshooting effort.
The only other complication to all this would be glow plugs and timer circuit. If batteries are fresh and it's getting fuel, I would think it might eventually warm up and start without them anyway.
Also, is there very much electronic engine control on the powerstroke in 97? The asking price for this truck is ridiculously great. So, if he answers my message, I want to arrange to go check this out.
So I messaged him to verify the engine and to ask what he means by "Won't crank." Ya know. Some people say that when the starter wont turn, which would be correct. And some people will say "Won't crank" even if the starter turns the engine over but it just won't fire.
I had a 1990 F350, 7.3l years ago. And it had a check valve near the injector pump. The check valve went bad and would let the fuel bleed back to the tank over night so it wouldn't prime by itself and start the next day. I'm wondering if that may be the case with this, even though he thinks there is an electrical problem. My question is; does the 97 have an electric lift pump in the tank or on the frame rail to feed the injector pump? I can't remember from my 90. That would make a difference in my troubleshooting and efforts to get the system primed.
If it truly "doesn't crank ". Then that should be a normal battery, starter relay, starter troubleshooting effort.
The only other complication to all this would be glow plugs and timer circuit. If batteries are fresh and it's getting fuel, I would think it might eventually warm up and start without them anyway.
Also, is there very much electronic engine control on the powerstroke in 97? The asking price for this truck is ridiculously great. So, if he answers my message, I want to arrange to go check this out.